reading disorder

This can be very serious - it could affect passing the state tests later on his education keeping him from receiving a high school degree! In most states, parents are allowed to initiate a request for IEP screening ... call the Special Educaton Department and determine how you can get same started. This can take several months and alot of advocating for the associated testing but very much worth every step! If they are uncooperative, I would call your pediatrician and see if she/he can advocate for same! Hope this helps ... it is serious and really can make or break the child as he gets older and is more aware of shortcomings this may cause ... unless services are provided and the issues are addressed!

Hi Meowlyn,This is going to sound weird. I didn't believe it when I first learned of it, either. Some kids have a hard time reading if they never learned to crawl. The kids that go right from creeping to walking... I didn't believe it, but after studying it, I do believe it. It's not the only cause of this, but it might be something worth looking into. For a child who never really crawled, sometimes something as simple as "crawl therapy" can do wonders. It has something to do with the order of motion to make crawling possible.. I don't know if it uses the same part of the brain to follow the order of words, but there's some tie. Just wanted to let you know in case it's something like that.

Thanks for your kind words. I will continue to fight the good fight with the school system. If our son does not pass the FCAT this year, he will have to repeat 3rd grade or go to summer reading camp as a "safety net". We are waiting for the latest test results to come back (tests were done the week of Thanksgiving). Hopefully we'll get a new IEP written this year. Meanwhile, we are two quarters into the school year with failing grades.

Sorry to read about your troubles with the school. My daughter is also in the third grade (she repeated kindergarten). She was diagnosed with learning disabilities as she seems to struggle with retaining info. Our school approved her right away for Special Ed. She started this school year. I was frustrated so long with her because I thought she was just being difficult when I would give her things to do at home and she would not get them done. They noticed it at school too and it was such a relief to have someome identify the problem! I truly hope you get satisfaction from your school. Keep on them because your child deserves to at least be evaluated.Diana

You may just want to try working with him at home a few evenings a week or on weekends. We've used a few things that have really helped on our own "Explode the Code" a series of workbooks and "Teach your Child to rea din 100 easy lessons". What also helps is doing some reading work over the summer.

Hi all, My son, who is 11 is still not reading. They say his has dysgraphia, but nobody seems to be helping him. I'm so frustrated with the whole thing. We adopted J when he was 7. He was severely neglected and abused. He was in fostercare for 3 + years. He had no early intervention. Now it's a catch up game and I just hurt for J. He just wants to be like the others, and now at his age, the kids are mean. He is going to a Life Skills class this year, which I don't think is the appropriete placement, but his school didn't know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.D

School psych here: Write a letter requesting to have your child evaluated. In most states the school has to acknowledge your letter in 30 days. If they don't call them or get in touch with the special ed. director, I would personally address the letter to the school psychologist and special ed director. The principal is likely very busy and the letter may get lost underneath a pile of papers. If you still get no response go to the asst. superintendent or superintended. Please first try to work with the school psychologist, teacher, counselor, special educator....most of the time they really want to help. When a person requests an evaluation, first there has to be ample proof that research based interventions have been tried. This will be the start of the evaluation and progress monitoring will most likely take place. If the child shows little growth through a period of time, then testing is done (if the team agrees). This is a recent addition to the federal law. The reason why they want to keep kids in the regular ed classroom is to not let them get behind the other students in proficiency exams. However, there is a happy medium...get the child services and also have the child stay in the regular classroom as much as possible. This would make both parties happy. Such as allow the child to learn the material in the classroom and complete classwork in the special education classroom. Brainstorming is the key and so is collobration. Go to the meeting (if the child is in special ed already request an IEP meeting as you can request one at anytime). If you really feel like the school is not cooperating, get an advocate (most places has an advocate available for free). Contact your state special education office and tell them the situation if needed. Ask also for an advocate - they may have their own. There is a website entitled "wrights law". Look it up through Yahoo or Google or whatever search engine you use. There is a lot of good information on their regarding education law. If you continue to fight the school district, they may give in or may continue to fight you (the second is more unlikely). If they do fight you, then another person will get involved to be the mediator. This person is from the state and is extremely neutral. Good luck

Put your request in writing and ask for an IEP meeting. I am a spec. ed. professional and more than willing to walk you thru how to get the help. Send me a pm if you would like the help.corhen